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Emma Thompson Says It Feels ‘Strange’ That Small Harry Potter Role Dominates Her Public Image

Her Smartless podcast remarks refocus attention on calls for better film roles for older women and her broader career priorities.

Overview

  • In late June, Thompson told the Smartless podcast hosts she spent about 30 days total playing Professor Sybill Trelawney and feels 'strange' and 'fatigued' that the role receives persistent attention.
  • She described Trelawney as 'nearly blind' and 'deeply neurotic,' and said that limited screen time across three films does not reflect the full scope of her work.
  • Thompson emphasized that she treats films for children with special care, calling young viewers 'the sacred audience' and saying those projects matter to her career choices.
  • The comments follow Thompson's recent public criticism of the film industry for underrepresenting women over 60 and her urging that directors make more films that centre aging women.
  • Coverage notes that Harry Potter’s lasting popularity explains repeated questions, but reporters say Thompson’s remarks have redirected the conversation toward age representation and the priorities of established actors.